Iowa Code Title VI. Human Services [Chs. 216-255A] § 225C.1. Findings and purpose

1. The general assembly finds that services to persons with mental illness, an intellectual disability, developmental disabilities, or brain injury are provided in many parts of the state by highly autonomous community-based service providers working cooperatively with state and county officials. However, the general assembly recognizes that heavy reliance on property tax funding for mental health and intellectual disability services has enabled many counties to exceed minimum state standards for the services resulting in an uneven level of services around the state. Consequently, greater efforts should be made to ensure close coordination and continuity of care for those persons receiving publicly supported disability services in Iowa. It is the purpose of this chapter to continue and to strengthen the services to persons with disabilities now available in the state of Iowa, to make disability services conveniently available to all persons in this state upon a reasonably uniform financial basis, and to assure the continued high quality of these services.

2. It is the intent of the general assembly that the service system for persons with disabilities emphasize the ability of persons with disabilities to exercise their own choices about the amounts and types of services received; that all levels of the service system seek to empower persons with disabilities to accept responsibility, exercise choices, and take risks; that disability services are individualized, provided to produce results, flexible, and cost-effective; and that disability services be provided in a manner which supports the ability of persons with disabilities to live, learn, work, and recreate in communities of their choice.